Update on plans to dismantle the 50 year old bridge in Plateau
There have been some issues arising from the plans to dismantle the 50 year old bridge in Plateau State, Nigeria. The issue is between the residents of that town which is Gindiri Town and the Nigerian Army.
They have had these issues between them over the plans to dismantle this bridge known as "LLANGA LANGA "that was constructed by the army in that area. It was the Nigerian Army who built the bridge in 1973 to help link the communities in that area.
The problem is arising from the fact that this bridge which has served as a very important infrastructure to the community members is about to be dismantled and taken to Sambisa Forest for operational reasons best known to the army.
The community members rely heavily on this bridge and they have decided to stop this movement.
This bridge serves as a link to other places and their greatest fear is that they would be cut off and face issues concerning transportation if this bridge is removed.
These issues between the town members and Army have been on for some time. Recall that this began when the Nigerian Army sent a team for surveillance to this area. This team was to check the state of the bridge in order to kick start the process of dismantling it and relocating it strategically to Sambisa Forest.
As soon as the town members saw these soldiers who had come for surveillance, they mobilized themselves to oppose this process of dismantling the bridge.
On the 3rd of February, 2023 when these soldiers went to lubricate the nuts of the bridge in preparation for the bridge dismantling, the members of the community quickly alerted each other and raised questions.
They gathered themselves the following day, February 4 and protested against this actions of the soldiers.
The community members have stated their reason for the opposition and they include that that bridge is the only link they have to The Secondary schools: that of the boys and also the girls, the soldiers of Theology, the famous Church of Christ and others.
The people claim it's unfair of them to dismantle the bridge after the community has become so dependent on this bridge after many years. They depend heavily on this birge as a link to other communities and states.
The National PRO of the Pyam Youth Movement in person of Mr Isa Kwarshak, has spoken on the matter claiming this came as a shock to then all.
He added that the bridge was constructed during the late General Murtala Mohammed regime.
He also said that removing this bridge will cut them off from major infrastructure needed in other communities.
He mentioned that the soldiers said it was the Chief of Army Staff that gave orders for the bridge to be removed.
He noted that they didn't inform their leaders and concluded by saying they would have to kill them before they allow the soldiers to remove the bridge.
The Chairman of Mangu LGA, Mr. Daniel Daput, also spoke up saying the army should have given them information ahead of time that this was what they were planning to do instead of this sudden announcement.
Another issue that was raised was the future of the children of the communirt if they don't have access to education.
It was noted that If not for the intervention of this community, the bridge would have collapsed long ago.
They then pleaded with the President and the commander in chief of the Armed Forces that the bridge be left for them to use.
They also appealed to the Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, and other lawmakers in Plateau.
There have been some issues arising from the plans to dismantle the 50 year old bridge in Plateau State, Nigeria. The issue is between the residents of that town which is Gindiri Town and the Nigerian Army.
They have had these issues between them over the plans to dismantle this bridge known as "LLANGA LANGA "that was constructed by the army in that area. It was the Nigerian Army who built the bridge in 1973 to help link the communities in that area.
The problem is arising from the fact that this bridge which has served as a very important infrastructure to the community members is about to be dismantled and taken to Sambisa Forest for operational reasons best known to the army.
The community members rely heavily on this bridge and they have decided to stop this movement.
This bridge serves as a link to other places and their greatest fear is that they would be cut off and face issues concerning transportation if this bridge is removed.
These issues between the town members and Army have been on for some time. Recall that this began when the Nigerian Army sent a team for surveillance to this area. This team was to check the state of the bridge in order to kick start the process of dismantling it and relocating it strategically to Sambisa Forest.
As soon as the town members saw these soldiers who had come for surveillance, they mobilized themselves to oppose this process of dismantling the bridge.
On the 3rd of February, 2023 when these soldiers went to lubricate the nuts of the bridge in preparation for the bridge dismantling, the members of the community quickly alerted each other and raised questions.
They gathered themselves the following day, February 4 and protested against this actions of the soldiers.
The community members have stated their reason for the opposition and they include that that bridge is the only link they have to The Secondary schools: that of the boys and also the girls, the soldiers of Theology, the famous Church of Christ and others.
The people claim it's unfair of them to dismantle the bridge after the community has become so dependent on this bridge after many years. They depend heavily on this birge as a link to other communities and states.
The National PRO of the Pyam Youth Movement in person of Mr Isa Kwarshak, has spoken on the matter claiming this came as a shock to then all.
He added that the bridge was constructed during the late General Murtala Mohammed regime.
He also said that removing this bridge will cut them off from major infrastructure needed in other communities.
He mentioned that the soldiers said it was the Chief of Army Staff that gave orders for the bridge to be removed.
He noted that they didn't inform their leaders and concluded by saying they would have to kill them before they allow the soldiers to remove the bridge.
The Chairman of Mangu LGA, Mr. Daniel Daput, also spoke up saying the army should have given them information ahead of time that this was what they were planning to do instead of this sudden announcement.
Another issue that was raised was the future of the children of the communirt if they don't have access to education.
It was noted that If not for the intervention of this community, the bridge would have collapsed long ago.
They then pleaded with the President and the commander in chief of the Armed Forces that the bridge be left for them to use.
They also appealed to the Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, and other lawmakers in Plateau.